Electrochemical Reactor/Cell Engineer – Electro-Deposition: Cell and System Design

RSCH AND DEV ENGR 3 TX (004758)

UCPath Position ID: TBD_189644

Position Description History/Status

Approved Date:

9/19/2025 1:03:02 PM

Date Last Edited:

9/19/2025 1:02:57 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

1130O

Organization:

HENRY SAMUELI SCHOOL ENGR & APPL SCIENCE

Division Code:

1131D

Division:

ENGINEERING & APPLIED SCIEN DIV

Department:

012100 - INSTITUTE FOR CARBON MANAGEMENT

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

TBD_189644

Position Description ID

243607

UC Payroll Title:

RSCH AND DEV ENGR 3 TX (004758)

Personnel Program

Professional and Support Staff (PSS)

Salary Grade:

STEPS

Job Code FLSA:

Exempt

Union Code (Collective Bargaining Unit):

TX: Technical

Employee Relations Code:

E: All Others - Not Confidential

Employee Class (Appt Type):

4 - Staff: Limited

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

1

SUPERVISION

UCPath Reports to Position Number:

40039768

Reports to Payroll Title:

ASSIST PROF-AY-B/E/E

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40061059

Department Head Payroll Title:

PROF-AY-B/E/E

GENERAL SUPERVISION - Indicates that the incumbent develops procedures for performance of variety of duties; or performs complex duties within established policy guidelines.

POSITION SUMMARY

ICM is seeking a hands-on electrochemical engineer to support the cell design, process design, prototyping, and scale-up of electrowinning cells for metal recovery. The successful candidate will lead the development of experimental reactor systems that enable selective metal deposition from ores, while integrating specialized flow paths, solid-handling systems, and HER-suppressing architectures. Solid foundational understanding of transport phenomena and electrochemistry is a must. This role bridges electrochemistry, engineering design and practical implementation, with opportunities to contribute from concept through pilot-scale deployment.

The Institute for Carbon Management (ICM) is a cross-campus technology-translation entity at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). ICM translates pioneering carbon management solutions from the (laboratory) bench-scale to pre-commercial/commercial-scale devices, prototypes, and (software) solutions. ICM's activities span two major focus areas:

(1) Technologies for carbon dioxide removal (from the atmosphere), utilization, and avoidance, and

(2) Technologies for creating new supply chains, and processing approaches for critical materials and elements (e.g., Fe, Li, Ni, Co, Mn, Mo, Mg) that are foundational to accelerating the clean energy transition, as well as reducing the carbon footprint of extractive processes.

ICM is organized into action teams that are convergent, agile, and world-class. Prominently, these action teams have enabled ICM-born technologies to be awarded the NRG COSIA Carbon XPRIZE, and the 2021 Liveability Challenge, among others. ICM's technologies are now being commercialized via spin-out companies including CarbonBuilt Inc., Concrete-AI Inc., and SeaChange Inc. 

Design & Fabrication

1. Design and fabricate electrochemical reactors, including batch cells, flow cells, and packed-bed systems. 2. Select and integrate electrode materials, separators, membranes, and fittings suitable for corrosive, high-salinity, or particulate-laden environments. 3. Assemble, troubleshoot, and operate lab-scale prototypes. 4. Generate CAD drawings and contribute to design documentation.

40%

Process Development & Analysis

1. Design and test cell and process systems for selective metal deposition and ore dissolution. 2. Develop flow systems for gas–liquid–solid separation and slurry handling. 3. Evaluate impurity tolerance and optimize selective metal recovery in complex multi-ion solutions. 4. Perform electroanalytical measurements (CV, EIS, LSV, chronoamperometry, etc.) and chemical analyses (ICP-OES, UV-Vis, titration, pH/conductivity). 5. Deliver high-quality experimental data and analyze results based on theory and calculations.

40%

Collaboration & Scale-up

1. Collaborate with chemists and postdocs to integrate electrolyte systems and interpret performance data. 2. Generalize findings to inform scale-up and downstream separation strategies. 3. Document procedures and contribute to design packages for broader application.

20%

•

Performs other duties as assigned.

•

Complies with all policies and standards.

•

Complies with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Principles of Community.

•

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree

Electrochemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience

Required

Master's Degree

Electrochemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience

Required

PhD

Electrochemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or a related field.

Preferred

5 or more years

Experience in prototyping or operating electrochemical systems, electrolyzers, flow reactors, or similar technologies.

Required

Hands-on experience with electrochemical cells

Required

Experience with electrodeposition systems, electrolyzers, or battery module hardware.

Preferred

Experience performing process modeling such as COMSOL, Ansys, ASPEN, etc.

Preferred

Strong background in aqueous electrochemical systems, and electrodeposition processes.

Required

Strong understanding of electrochemical cell assembly including electrodes, membranes, liquid transport layer and current collectors.

Required

Proficiency with mechanical design tools (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD) and system integration.

Required

Ability to work independently and communicate results clearly across multidisciplinary teams.

Required

Have a good understanding of lab safety procedures and ability to consistently operate safely.

Required

Demonstrated ability to work independently, build hardware, and iterate quickly based on testing.

Required

Knowledge of fluid dynamics, pressure drop, and flow control in multiphase systems.

Preferred

Familiarity with slurry reactors or solid–liquid–gas reactor design.

Preferred

Passion for advancing sustainable technologies and scalable carbon management solutions.

Preferred

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.

Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Campus

Location:

Standing/Walking

X

X

Sitting

X

X

Bending/Stooping

X

Squatting/Kneeling

X

Climbing

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 0-25 lbs

X

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 26-50 lbs

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull over 50 lbs

X

Physical requirements other

X

Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes

X

X

Loud noise levels

X

Marked changes in humidity or temperature

X

Microwave/Radiation

X

Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment

X

Exposures other

X

Sustained attention and concentration

X

X

Complex problem solving/reasoning

X

X

Ability to organize & prioritize

X

X

Communication skills

X

X

Numerical skills

X

X

Mental demands other

X

X

Classification 3:  Position in which exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues is not part of the position description. The normal routine task involves no exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues and the employee can decline to perform tasks which involve a perceived risk without retribution.